More Than A Religious Speaker
Strange and (Almost) Humorous Happenings To Preachers
While I was preaching at the old Park St. Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1972 Reuel Lemmons, the editor of the Firm Foundation gospel paper came to hold a gospel meeting. He agreed to come because of acquaintance with me. I first met him in 1968 at the Abilene lectures. I told him my name and that he had baptized my mother in Tipton, Oklahoma in 1935. He immediately said, "Yes, I remember Robert Lee and Sammye!" He had not seen them in 33 years but he called their names.
Well, back to my story! First, I had only been preaching full time seven years and I had to teach the Sunday school class with Reuel Lemmons sitting in my audience. We had sent him very specific topics to preach about hoping to profit from his wisdom. After class heading to begin worship he asked me, "What was my subject for today?" Trembling, I told him and said to myself, "Oh, No! Surely he's kidding!" He wasn't!
When he reached the auditorium I watched him write the title of the sermon and a half dozen words on the back of an attendance card and he proceeded to preach one of the best sermons I had ever heard. He showed me that day the difference between a young preacher and a mature preacher. I found out I was not near as good a preacher as I thought I was. I was a "religious speaker". He was a preacher!
While I was preaching at the old Park St. Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1972 Reuel Lemmons, the editor of the Firm Foundation gospel paper came to hold a gospel meeting. He agreed to come because of acquaintance with me. I first met him in 1968 at the Abilene lectures. I told him my name and that he had baptized my mother in Tipton, Oklahoma in 1935. He immediately said, "Yes, I remember Robert Lee and Sammye!" He had not seen them in 33 years but he called their names.
Well, back to my story! First, I had only been preaching full time seven years and I had to teach the Sunday school class with Reuel Lemmons sitting in my audience. We had sent him very specific topics to preach about hoping to profit from his wisdom. After class heading to begin worship he asked me, "What was my subject for today?" Trembling, I told him and said to myself, "Oh, No! Surely he's kidding!" He wasn't!
When he reached the auditorium I watched him write the title of the sermon and a half dozen words on the back of an attendance card and he proceeded to preach one of the best sermons I had ever heard. He showed me that day the difference between a young preacher and a mature preacher. I found out I was not near as good a preacher as I thought I was. I was a "religious speaker". He was a preacher!
Posted in Seniorside
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Bible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 1Almost HomeBible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 2Bible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 3In Conjunction With OthersBible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 4Bible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 5Bible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 1A Unique CityBible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 2Love Stronger Than EvilBible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 3Studies In PsalmsBible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 4Quiet RestBible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 5Peace Prayer of St. FrancisBible Reading Plan Week 4 Day 1Bible Reading Plan Week 4 Day 2Faith and Positive LivingThe Son ShinesBible Reading Plan Week 4 Day 3Hearing Your Words AgainBible Reading Plan Week 4 Day 4Bible Reading Plan Week 4 Day 5
February
Shepherd PsalmBible Reading Plan Week 5 Day 1The Way To A Man's HeartBible Reading Plan Week 5 Day 2The BasicsBible Reading Plan Week 5 Day 3The Steps Of A ManBible Reading Plan Week 5 Day 4Bible Reading Plan Week 5 Day 5Bible Reading Plan Week 6 Day 1Prince of PeaceBible Reading Plan Week 6 Day 2Bible Reading Plan Week 6 Day 3Bible Reading Plan Week 6 Day 4Son of EncouragementBible Reading Plan Week 6 Day 5Bible Reading Plan Week 7 Day 1Grumbling or Gratitude?Bible Reading Plan Week 7 Day 2Bible Reading Plan Week 7 Day 3Unfaithful FriendsBible Reading Plan Week 7 Day 4Bible Reading Plan Week 7 Day 5Kidside Easter Series AnnouncementBible Reading Plan Week 8 Day 1A Covenant With Our EyesBible Reading Plan Week 8 Day 2Bible Reading Plan Week 8 Day 3Wisdom Toward OthersBible Reading Plan Week 8 Day 4Bible Reading Plan Week 8 Day 5
March
Event AnnouncementsKidside Children's LessonThe Great Stone FacePicked Him UpKidside Children's LessonThe Suffering ServantTime In God's HandsJesus Anointed by MaryJesus Predicts and Explains His DeathThe Good Ole DaysJesus' Triumphal EntryJesus Teaches to Remain WatchfulWeek 1 ReflectionWeek 1 Prayer and PraiseKidside Children's LessonPlot Against JesusJesus Washes the Disciples' FeetA Sweet AromaThe Last SupperA Designing GodJesus in the Garden of GethsemaneJesus' Prayer in the GardenWeek 2 ReflectionWeek 2 Prayer and PraiseKidside Children's LessonJesus Predicts Peter's DenialMarriage Is About Your SpouseKidside AnnouncementsJesus ArrestedPeter Denies JesusIt's About GraceJesus Before Pilate, Judas' Response and The Events Before the CrucifixionJesus' Death and BurialWeek 3 ReflectionWeek 3 Prayer and PraiseThe Angel and the TombKidside Children's LessonMary's ReportThe Road to Emmaus